Hi!!! I'm 17!! Well that WAS a while ago. I know I promised it for my
birthday but there were huge delays and severe writer's blocks and school
work...Okay okay... anyways... back to the point. This is chapter TEN,
where you will find out Meiling's visit, why Sakura keeps passing out, and
if dense and idiotic Syaoran will get it through his head that HE IS the
cause of Sakura's condition. -Cough- See! My late celebration of my 17th
birthday and you all get a present. Aren't I nice?
Sadly... there is about three or four more chapters before this ends. Which means it's all going to end! I don't want it to end! You'll find out what I've been plotting since the beginning! Well that's the whole purpose actually. This fic has to end no matter what I say.
But I want to thank you all right now. Here and now. Why? Because I received 318 reviews. I never thought that this fic would reach as much as that! What a surprise you all gave me!
And thanks to all you who reviewed last chapter:
Xiao Mei- Happy Belated Birthday!! I know I'm way off.
S+S4ever
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And thanks to those who added me to their favorites! I appreciate it so much! You don't know how much!!
This is an extra gift for you for your patience! A hint for the next chapter will be available at the bottom. ^-^ Now who says I'm evil? Hmm?? Who?! Hee hee, just joking.
Oh! Silly me! Before I forget, this chapter is dedicated to: KawaiinessPnay. Otherwise known as Lily Fliss. I'm sorry that the 'villain's' name was Lily. I know you said it's okay but I still had to make it up to you. (Andrew felt bad that another author had his name as the villain.) I'm glad you'll continue to read my fic. I hope you enjoy this one especially.
And to: Xiao Mei! This is your belated birthday present!! YaY! I hope you had the best birthday!!
I'm rambling again... well anyways here it is! Presenting Chapter 10!
(Disclaimer: As said before, I do not own CCS... but I will... someday.)
* * * * *- Changing places
A/N- Author Notes
"." Speaking
'.' Thoughts
Friends Forever...Right?
Chapter 10
The Key to All the Answers
Tomoyo felt a shudder go down her spine as she ate peacefully with Nakuru and Eriol. She only felt those sorts of chills if something was wrong with...
"Gomen nasai Nakuru-san, but I have to go."
Eriol looked up alarmed by Tomoyo's sudden decision to leave. He knew very well that she wouldn't leave while the storm was still occurring.
"Demo Tomoyo-chan, the storm is awful. Why don't you wait till it settles down a bit, ne?" Nakuru suggested.
But Tomoyo shook her head violently, which surprised Eriol and Nakuru. Now something was really wrong. Eriol stood up and bowed his head.
"I shall walk her home obaa-san-"
"Don't call me that!! NAKURU-SAN! N-A-K-U-R-U!!"
Eriol winced a bit but that little scene didn't alter Tomoyo's anxiousness. She really needed to go to Li's house. Something was wrong and she had to get Sakura out of there.
"Er... Nakuru-san, I'll walk her home."
Nakuru smiled and nodded. "Hai hai. You do that and come back quick, okay?"
Eriol nodded and left out the door with Tomoyo. They put on their coats and shoes on quickly. Tomoyo grabbed her umbrella while Eriol borrowed Nakuru's. They ran out the door without another word.
* * * *
Still silence.
'Man if I could turn back the wheels in time, I would've said acquaintance.' Ryu thought irritably as the whole room continued to remain in silence.
-Flash Back-
"My name is Ryu Kim. I am the boyfriend of Meiling Raye."
-Flash Back Ended-
Real smooth. So smooth that it took everyone's breathe away. Yuna Raye stared at him with an expressionless look. Well, he guessed she knew they were going out, but that face made him insecure.
Yelan did the same. Fuutie, Femei, Fanren, and Shiefa gaped at him. Meiling had turned pale while the elders... err... what can he say about the elders?
"Continue."
Ryu blinked. The eldest elder had spoken.
Ha! He was spared!
"I am here because I chose to spend my vacation with the Raye family. But upon arriving, I noticed that there was some plot occurring and that very plot was denied from my knowledge. So I chose to spy on this meeting."
He had said it so simply and sophistically that what he had said before was forgotten. Well, at least for now.
"I see. You may seat yourself now as we question your 'girlfriend.'"
Ryu seated himself and gulped. So they had remembered that part. Well at least he wasn't slaughtered or banished from the premises.
"So what do you have to tell us, daughter of Yuna Raye, girlfriend of Ryu Kim?" The youngest elder asked snidely. The eldest elder gave him a glare and once again he piped down. Meiling began to regain color in her face.
"I have said already what my presence here is about..."
"Yes, we know that already. Go on child."
Meiling nodded.
"I believe my best friend will be the wife of your future leader, Xiao Lang Li."
* * * *
Syaoran placed Sakura on the couch slowly. He checked her pulse, since after all she kept fainting.
It was weak.
'Strange. I thought Sakura was athletic.' Syaoran thought as he brushed her hair from her face. He blushed a bit.
"Sakura-chan, are you suffering because... you like me?"
No answer. He hadn't really expected one from an unconscious girl anyway. Syaoran sighed as he looked fondly at Sakura.
'She's so pretty. Auburn hair, smooth skin, gorgeous emerald eyes... HEY! Where the hell am I going with these thoughts? I'm going out with Lily. She's pretty too. With clear blue eyes and long midnight blue hair. Sakura is beautiful. No! No! Lily is! Ugh!'
Syaoran stood up with his hands over his ears. He took one look at Sakura before leaving into the kitchen.
'Stop it.'
'Sakura...'
'No no! You are going to ask Lily to marry you!'
Syaoran stopped.
"WHAT?!"
(A/N: Horrible, yes I am horrible. Let me do the cha cha now. Hee hee.)
* * * *
Lily sprawled herself across the couch as Milla and Carleen took the other two. They were exhausted. Lily had another motive. She was tired from plotting.
But who wouldn't be? Climbing all those stairs and then walking back then without a decent rest.
"That baka will pay." Lily growled as she hit the pillow. Carleen and Milla nodded, not bring up their departure.
"Not only will I ruin his reputation, I will destroy hers! And if I have to, everyone that's close to him!"
Carleen and Milla stared at her.
"Don't you think you're pushing it too much?" Milla asked quietly. Lily glared at her and she silenced herself. Carleen patted her hand.
"I am not. Li will be destroyed. Kinomoto will be ruined. That IS perfection." Lily said happily.
"I guess we'll go pack then." Carleen said, getting up from the couch. Milla nodded and followed her.
"Now? But you guys don't leave till tomorrow!"
Carleen motioned for Milla to go ahead. "We leave at five am tomorrow morning, Lily."
Lily became stunned. That meant it was their last night together. She spent the afternoon chasing Syaoran. Now she had no time to spend with her friends.
"Then why don't we go out? For a change... instead of staying here. Let's take a cab."
Carleen smiled brightly and nodded. "I'll go tell Milla."
* * * *
The sound of someone pounding on his door made Syaoran leave his kitchen and to the hallway.
"Err... who is it?" Syaoran called as he reached his door. The insistent pounding stopped and he wondered if that person left.
"Let me in Li!" Tomoyo yelled.
Syaoran blinked and opened it up right away. Tomoyo dashed passed Syaoran, leaving him in her dust. Syaoran tilted his head as Eriol walked in.
"What was all that about?" Syaoran asked. Eriol sighed as he continued inside.
"Sakura. Sakura-chan! Wake up! Oh god... Eriol! Eriol come and help me!" Tomoyo said in worry.
Eriol gave a weird glance at Syaoran as he went to Tomoyo. Tomoyo was trying to haul Sakura on her own.
"She passed out again. I guess we have to take her to the doctor. This is too much." Eriol whispered as he placed one of Sakura's arms around his neck.
They prepared to leave before Syaoran stood in their way. He held a face of confusion and wonderment. But also his face contained the look of anger from the robbery of his cherry blossom.
"Why are you taking her?" He asked, a bit angrily.
"Gomen nasai Li-kun, but Sakura shouldn't stay here."
Syaoran's face held even more confusion now. "Shouldn't? And why the..."
Eriol glared at him. "Not in this state she can't."
Syaoran looked at Sakura's weak figure. "But I need to ask her something. Or do you want to answer it? Since you are removing her from this apartment."
Tomoyo and Eriol looked at Syaoran in confusion now.
"What question is it? As you can see, we can't stay long." Tomoyo stated in fretfulness.
"Does she have feelings for me?" Syaoran asked gruffly.
Tomoyo paled.
'Oh no...'
* * * *
"And who is this young girl that is your best friend?" One of the elders asked.
Ryu looked at Meiling confused. He didn't know that one of their friends would be the wife of Syaoran Li. But who was it? When they left, Syaoran was still single.
'Sakura is the only one that we tried to set him up with. Is she the one?'
Meiling looked seriously at the elders. The matter she was speaking about was gravely serious. No jokes should be told in this. And yet, Meiling knew it was the truth. She never saw the spark in Syaoran's eyes when he saw Sakura. She knew they would be together... forever.
"My best friend, Sakura Kinomoto, brought out the most wonderful personality of your soon to be leader, Syaoran Li. My Sakura, is the most greatest, nicest, understandable, compassionate young girl I've ever met. When we met, she was the one who introduced herself to me and offered to be my friend."
Meiling's eyes began to tear, and Ryu held her hand. It was the truth, all of it. And it would make her even happier if Sakura was the one for Syaoran.
"Anyway, back to the point. Syaoran's eyes sparkle when he's with her. Well that was before I left. I do not know if they're together now or not because I haven't held constant contact with my friends back home. But Sakura is generous, respectable, and honorable. I believe you couldn't ask for any Mistress better than her."
The Elders all stood up. It was time for them to discuss what Meiling had proposed so they retreated to another room.
And if Sakura was rejected...
Then Syaoran would be set into an arranged marriage.
* * * *
"I've got it."
Xiomara and Jasmine looked up at Song Min's pensive face.
"Got what?" Xiomara asked.
Song Min smiled broadly and stood up. She raced upstairs, leaving her two friends even more confused. They heard her trip, fall, get up, get something making somewhat amount of noise, trip again, and roll down the stairs.
Song Min was known to be somewhat clumsy.
Finally she made her way into the dining room and with a box. Her hair was now disheveled and there were certain bruises on her arms.
"I'll make Syaoran jealous!"
Xiomara and Jasmine fell off their chairs.
Song Min laughed as she opened the box to reveal a rather large phone book. The book was divided in three sections. The three sections were: Guys that desperately want to go out with me, Guys That I dumped, and Guys that are cute.
"Mmm... I think a cute guy is necessary but I need him to be somewhat desperate for me."
Xiomara and Jasmine shook their heads.
"Song Min you're going at this all wrong. I think we should let Syaoran drop. You have to find the one for you. Not play around with worthless ones." Xiomara said.
Song Min stopped from flipping through the pages of her phone book. She looked at Xiomara and sighed.
"But the thing is, I'm afraid I won't find him."
Jasmine smiled, happy that Song Min didn't blow up about what Xiomara said. Xiomara patted Song Min on the back and shook her head.
"You will. But the first thing we need to do is help Syaoran."
"Why?" Song Min asked as she placed the phone book into the box.
"Because we wrecked everything. This would put us in favor of Kami, wouldn't it? Plus Sakura deserves him then that bitch."
Jasmine and Song Min gasped. Xiomara was the only one in the group that hasn't ever muttered a curse. And for the first time she did, it was against Lily.
"Then let's do it."
All three smiled.
They were going to rectify what was desperately needed to be done.
For a long time.
* * * *
"Sakura changed so much, we don't even know anymore." Eriol said, ushering Tomoyo with Sakura out.
"What do you mean 'changed'?" Syaoran questioned, becoming irritable.
"No time for that. We must head off. Ja ne Li-kun." Eriol said.
The door shut, leaving Syaoran alone. In a frustrated cry, he hit the wall. He didn't understand the rush of feelings he was having. Syaoran opened his eyes and withdrew his fist from the inside of the wall.
"........."
Syaoran blinked.
"What is the matter with me?"
* * * *
Eriol managed to hail a cab. He grunted as he and Tomoyo entered the taxi with Sakura.
"Daidouji Mansion onegai."
"Hai." The old taxi driver replied.
Tomoyo let out a relieved sigh. The retrieval of Sakura hadn't been easy. Syaoran had put up more of a fight and FINALLY is piecing things together.
But it's too late.
The state of Sakura is in, happens to be severe. More severe than anyone imagined.
"We'll have to take her to the doctor tomorrow." She whispered.
Eriol nodded just as they arrived to Tomoyo's home.
"You don't think it's that bad right?" She asked, obviously worried.
"I'm sure it isn't bad." He said, reassuring Tomoyo.
The taxi pulled up to the front door. It was still pouring outside. Eriol paid the taxi and then aided Tomoyo and Sakura inside.
* * * *
"With music and words I've been playing... For you I have written a song... To be sure that you know what I'm saying... I'll translate as I go along..."
Lily began to sing.
"Fly me to the moon And let me play among the stars... Won't you let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars..."
All the men in the karaoke bar howled at Lily. Carleen and Milla applauded from their seats.
"In other words, hold my hand... In other words, Darling kiss me." Fill my heart with song... And let me sing forevermore..."
"Cuz you are all I long for all I worship and adore In other words please be true In other words I love you. Oh!"
Lily did slight movements as the chorus played.
"Oh woah In other words... please be true. Please be true I just want you to be true In other words.. yeah yah yeah I love you. Oh! Woah!"
She sang as the music died down. She took a bow and hopped off the stage.
"That was great!" Milla said.
"You were amazing." Carleen exclaimed.
The trio giggled and sat back at the table. All each wore flashy and revealing clothing.
"My favorite ladies. How are you all?"
They looked up to see Phillip, Ivan, and Simon.
"Konbawa." They all said.
Phillip seated himself next to Lily and then pulled her closer.
"Saw you singing. You looked great. Now why did you call me here?" He whispered.
Lily giggled so her friends wouldn't get suspicious. Sure thing, they fell for it. Simon and Ivan seated themselves next to them and conversed with them as they continued.
"Kinomoto is becoming a bother. I need you to take care of her and fast." She whispered.
"Sure. Sakura Kinomoto... will be tons of fun." He said.
"Good." Lily said, smiling.
* * * *
The elders seated themselves back at the table. Meiling and everyone else looked up. They were all so nervous.
"Meiling Raye, please stand." The middle elder said.
She complied, her hands shivering slightly.
"We have discussed and debated."
Meiling gulped.
"She is..."
Everyone's eyes were trained on the Elders. Everything went in slow motion. Meiling felt her heart beat ever so quickly. Her pulse quickened. Everything was silent.
"She is indeed perfect." The younger elder said.
"We accept your offer." The Eldest Elder said.
Everyone jumped in joy. Even though more than half didn't know exactly who Sakura was.
"We're going to have a little sister!"
"I bet she's so kawaii!"
"She's going to be so sweet!"
"Little brother will be so thrilled!" All the sisters said at once.
"Silence!" The Eldest Elder said.
Everyone took their seats once more, with their mouths closed.
"We have accepted Ying Fa Kinomoto. But we must meet her and she'll have to pass the tests we give her. Also she'll have to pass the lie detector test."
Meiling nodded, knowing fully well that Sakura would be able to pass.
"Hai. Two days I'll go back and prepare her."
The elders nodded.
"We'll give you four to five days after that. If that is all, this meeting is adjourned."
* * * *
"Night Sakura-chan." Tomoyo said as she left the guest room.
Eriol and one of her butlers brought Sakura up. But she hasn't woken up since then so Tomoyo decided to leave her alone. She went downstairs to see Eriol getting up from the couch.
"Still sleeping?" He asked.
She nodded as she met him at the bottom of the stairs. Worry was etched in her porcelain face.
"I'll have to call her house so they know she's staying here. Do you think she'll be okay?"
Eriol nodded and held her hands, placing a light kiss on the top of each of them.
"I'm sure she'll be okay. We'll drop her off to see her doctor tomorrow."
Tomoyo nodded.
"Yeah. Then Kwan will drive you home and Nakuru won't wonder where you went off to." Tomoyo said, slightly smiling.
"Hai. I'll see you tomorrow."
He placed a light kiss on her cheek and departed. Tomoyo then frowned again.
'Sakura-chan...'
* * * *
Meiling smiled happily as she and Ryu departed, completely forgetting about Ryu's mistake during the conference. Her mother had planned to buy some outfits before the stores closed so she had to go. She didn't mind though, since everything was going so well.
Ryu went to his room and locked the door. He remembered what Meiling had said earlier. "I want you to find out what really is going on in Tomoeda."
He hadn't forgotten because he was curious as well to know what Tomoyo was lying about. He had a suspicion it was the girl Sakura mentioned. That was the only time they were able to contact Sakura.
He furrowed his eyebrows as he tried to remember the name.
"Was it Billy? No no, that's a guy's name. Milly?" He frowned again for not recalling the fact that could solve everything.
Ryu picked up the phone and begun to dial. It was almost ten at night over there. While it was almost nine where he was.
"Moshi Moshi, Daidouji residence. Tomoyo speaking."
Ryu released a relieved sigh. He didn't want to wake her up if she was asleep.
"Konbawa Tomoyo-chan. It's me Ryu."
He heard a slight hesitation on her part when he put on the video phone.
"How is it in America?"
Ryu completely forgot that they hadn't mentioned to Tomoyo and the rest that they were now in China.
"Fine. How is it back home?"
"All is good too."
Ryu saw her eye twitch. It was a faint one but it was there. He would've missed it if he had blinked. He forgot how good of a liar Tomoyo was.
"No really. How is it home?"
Tomoyo mentally cursed in her head. She had to learn to surpass the twitching. She had forgotten that Ryu was one of the two that could tell when she's lying. Eriol was the other.
"All right. It's all right but everyone misses you two."
Ryu stared at her but there was no twitch.
'She's learning.' He cursed.
"Meiling and I miss you guys too."
Tomoyo smiled. She had to control herself from twitching again.
"How is Sakura-chan?"
Tomoyo pinched herself a bit as she responded. "She's fine." But no matter how much she pinched herself, she twitched.
"I have to know Tomoyo. You can't lie to me." Ryu said.
Tomoyo sighed.
"Promise you won't tell Meiling."
Ryu looked at her and bit his lip. He knew that Meiling was the one that wanted to know most of all. But Tomoyo had the look of desperation.
"All right..."
Tomoyo sighed.
"Well it began like this..."
An hour later...
"No..."
Tomoyo nodded numbly.
"Yes."
Ryu shook his head. This was all too much for him. After everything they went through. What on earth would happen? "No... Meiling won't be happy. And especially the Elders."
Tomoyo had a quizzical face.
"Who are the elders?"
Ryu gulped.
'Uh oh...'
* * * *
Syaoran grunted and laid down on his couch just as Wei entered the house.
"My my, Master Syaoran! What on earth happened to the wall?"
Syaoran blushed in embarrassment. "Gomen... I almost fell and my fist went through the wall."
Wei stood there for a moment and just shrugged. He wouldn't bother questioning him about that.
"Sorry I took so long Master Syaoran, demo it was hard to get cabs in this storm. It is still pouring outside."
Syaoran shook his head as he stood up. "No worries Wei. I'm off to bed."
"Might as well Master Syaoran. It's getting late and your birthday is coming up soon."
Syaoran grunted.
"Don't remind me."
* * * *
"Thanks for the great night guys! We'll miss you." Milla and Carleen said as she kissed Simon and Ivan.
Lily smiled, glad that her friends enjoyed their last night together. Phillip gripped her around her waist.
"Work fast, right? How's tomorrow afternoon sound?" He whispered into Lily's ear.
"Beyond perfect. Here's your kiss." She said as she kissed him lustfully.
Phillip moaned into the kiss as she pulled away. "You'll get more after the job is done."
"Say no more and just considerate it done." He said as he waved. Simon and Ivan followed him, a bit ticked that the girls they were kissing were leaving that very night.
"Ja ne minna!" They called before they went in.
"Arigato Lily. That was a great night out." Milla said gratefully.
Carleen nodded. "Now we have to pack before the flight. We'll wake you up in the morning."
"All right. Good night you two." Lily said.
"Night." The girls said before heading to their rooms to pack.
* * * *
"Li is heir to WHAT?!" Tomoyo exclaimed.
Ryu chuckled a bit. He knew the reaction would be pretty high if he told her the truth.
"Yeah he's the heir to the Li clan in China."
Tomoyo looked bewildered, shocked, and confused.
"The infamous Li clan? The LI clan! No way! I cannot believe it!"
Ryu nodded.
"Listen Tomoyo I have to go. I think Meiling is back and I don't want her to know what you told me or what I told you. I'll see you in two days."
Tomoyo gulped. "In two days? Meiling is going to be furious."
Ryu sighed. "Yup. See you."
"Bye Ryu."
Tomoyo sighed.
How will this ever work?
* * * *
The Next Day
"We'll write. Call us on how everything goes." Carleen said.
Lily wiped her tears and hugged them.
"Visit soon, okay?"
"We'll try our best."
Carleen and Milla released themselves from Lily's grasp. They walk towards the runway and waved.
Lily clasped her hands together as she saw her friends go into the plane. She was all alone now. If she had the nerve to go through with this, she had to do it fast.
Lily began to leave, her midnight blue hair swaying.
* * * *
"You'll walk home safely, right?"
"Hai Tomoyo-chan."
"If anything call me."
"Hai."
Sakura walked up to her doctor's office. She woke up at one o'clock and Tomoyo had insisted that she'd go to the doctor. She didn't know why but she already knew the doctor wouldn't say she was perfectly healthy.
'Syaoran... you... I hate you.' She thought as she entered the office.
"Ohayo. May I help you?" The receptionist asked as Sakura walked in.
"Walk in." Sakura murmured.
"Name?"
"Kinomoto Sakura."
"Folder number?"
"9164-190."
"Please have a seat. Doctor Park will be with you shortly."
"Arigato."
(A/N: I do not know what they ask but their names... my receptionist asks my social security numbers... I don't know about Japan. So don't attack me!)
Sakura seated herself and sighed. There were only two other children in the waiting room with their parents. She smiled a bit but they're seeing the other doctors, not hers. Joo-won Park, her doctor, only tends to patients around the age she is in.
"Sakura-san."
Sakura looked up and nodded. Her doctor always called her Sakura-san since she had argued with her to do so. She went inside to her office and seated herself.
"How are you today Sakura-san?"
"My friend, Tomoyo Daidouji, wants me to get a check up."
"So I suppose then you aren't all right. I'll run some tests."
"Hai."
* * * *
"You saw her go inside, right?"
Phillip nodded.
"I'll get her afterwards. You go and do what you have to do to Li."
Lily smirked and nodded. She kissed him deeply and then proceeded to leave.
"Ja ne then."
* * * *
"You have low blood pressure, low glucose levels, practically everything in your system is very unhealthy. What happened Sakura-san? You used to be so healthy and genki. Is everything all right at home?"
Sakura nodded and looked away. She didn't want her doctor to know.
"You lost a lot of weight. Please don't tell me you think you're fat?"
Sakura smiled a bit and shook her head.
"Iie." She replied.
Joo-won Park smiled. "That's good." Her face then frowned. "So why the drastic changes?"
Sakura sighed.
"Gomen nasai, demo I can't tell you. And..." She added. "It doesn't involve my family or school."
Joo-won rubbed her temples and sighed.
"Sakura-san, if you keep this going, you're capable of dying from a regular illness. Your white blood cells are weak so they won't be able to fight any virus."
"I don't mind." Sakura whispered.
Joo-won's head snapped up. "You don't mean that Sakura-san."
Sakura looked away. Joo-won had to hold back a gasp. She held Sakura by the shoulders, forcing her to look into her black round eyes.
"Do you want to live Sakura?"
".........Iie."
That answer nearly crushed Joo-won's heart. Sakura was her patient since she was born and never once did she see her frown. Today she was far worse. The genki smile and attitude now vanished. What on earth is going on?
Joo-won released her hold on Sakura and stood up in front of her.
"The reason why you are always fainting is your lack of sleep, malnutrition, and low levels of nutrients." Joo-won stated grimly. "And if you keep this up, I'm afraid you'll pass out into a coma and perhaps die."
Sakura nodded and stood up.
"Arigato Joo-won-san."
With that, Sakura left out the door. Joo-won sank into her seat. How someone so happy can transform into a depressed person so quickly... she couldn't understand.
Picking up the phone, she dialed a number.
"Tomoyo-san? Konnichiwa, this is Park-san, Sakura's doctor..."
* * * *
Sakura sighed as she walked down the block.
She knew it from the beginning that something was wrong with her. But she didn't really want to know what it was and what was going to happen to her.
"Hi there."
Sakura looked up and saw who she didn't want to see at all.
"Go away Phillip."
The young man chuckled as he drew away from the tree he was hiding behind. His hair blowing slightly in the wind.
"You know you don't mean that babe. This is a dangerous place to be walking by yourself. I shall accompany you."
Sakura sent a glare at him. "This? A dangerous place?" She said as she looked at the beautiful neighborhood with classy houses.
"Not this block of course, Silly Sakura. The next one." Phillip said smoothly.
Sakura looked up and frowned. It was true; the next block was filled with hoodlums, drug dealers, and etc. How such a fine neighborhood like this could be next to a neighborhood like that.
"That doesn't mean I'm walking with you." Sakura stated firmly.
Phillip wrapped his arm around Sakura's shoulder.
"Well that's too bad."
Sakura felt chills up her spine when he uttered those words. "Nani?"
* * * *
Syaoran sighed as he got up from the couch.
"Wei I thought you were going to take-"
He stopped when he saw it wasn't Wei.
"Lily? What are you doing here? What are you wearing??"
Lily giggled as she walked passed Syaoran and into his house. She was wearing a rather large brown trench coat that lightly touched the floor.
"You've been quite... tentative with me Syaoran. I think we're ready to touch the next level." She said as she slipped off the trench coat to reveal her black lingerie.
Syaoran gaped at her and managed to shut his mouth close.
'Good sign. He gaped.' Lily thought as she approached him slowly.
Syaoran then frowned at the girl in front of him.
"I don't think we're ready for this Lily." Syaoran stated as he backed away from her.
"But you've been too tentative. Just give me a good kiss and I'll put my trench coat back on." Lily said seductively.
'A kiss and he'll be mine.' She thought maliciously.
Syaoran shook his head and went passed her. He picked up her trench coat and threw it at her. "Lily get out. If you dare to try and do this again, it'll be over."
Lily huffed angrily and put her trench coat back on.
"You'll regret this Li." She shrieked as she ran down the stairs, not bothering to take the elevator.
Syaoran sighed as he closed the door.
'What the hell is the matter with girls these days...'
* * * *
"Don't do this!"
"You made it difficult for me before but LI can't save you anymore."
Sakura cried as Phillip hauled her into a dark alleyway. She struggled but who can she defeat in her condition.
"Get away from me! Help!"
Phillip snickered as he laid her down onto the hard pavement. He gripped her wrists tightly.
"No one here is going to help you. Everyone around here is under MY posse and they ain't gonna help some girl such as yourself."
"Please someone... Syaoran..."
Phillip laughed a cold laugh. It sent deep fear into Sakura's body.
'He's going to rape me.' She thought with tears in her eyes.
"After everything Li has done to you, with Lily and all... you still want him to save you. How pathetic." Phillip muttered before forcefully kissing her.
Sakura tried to break from his grasp but it was too hard for her. All she could do was cry as he held her wrists with one hand and his other hand began to trail down her body.
* * * *
Eriol whistled, trying to ignore his surroundings.
Until he heard a cry for help.
He was on his way to go pick up Sakura because Tomoyo had called him to let him know that Sakura was NOT doing so good.
And he had to go get her because the neighborhood wasn't good around there.
Sure wasn't.
Once he heard the cry, from a familiar voice, he raced down the block and into an alleyway.
"What the hell are you doing?" Eriol growled as he grabbed Phillip and threw him off of Sakura. Sakura's face was red from crying and her wrists were purple.
Phillip growled and ran off. Eriol raced to Sakura's side as she was on the pavement.
"Sakura-chan?"
"......"
"Don't worry. I'll get you home."
* * * *
A Day Later
A light breeze came into the room as a young girl woke up. By her side, was her best friend and on her other side, her close friend.
"What happened?"
Tomoyo smiled as Sakura awoken. She had managed to heal the bruises with her mother's creams and antidotes but nothing could erase the experience from Sakura's mind. Tomoyo was so glad that Sakura's clothes were never removed since Eriol intercepted them before anything drastic occurred.
"Nothing. You slept over. But guess what? Meiling and Ryu are coming back today!"
Sakura smiled broadly as she sat up in Tomoyo's guest bed.
"I completely forgot! I'm so happy! They're really coming back?"
Tomoyo smiled a bit and nodded. Eriol clasped Tomoyo's hand. It would be hard to keep this charade that Sakura was not almost raped.
If Eriol had been there any later, Phillip would've...
They shook their heads. They didn't want to recall that.
* * * *
"We're going home!"
Ryu covered his ears as Meiling proceeded to yell that all over the house. They were packing because their flight was in two hours. They'll be home in Japan around 6.
And Meiling couldn't stop shouting in happiness. Ryu was a bit content that they were going home.
But with Meiling shouting, he was getting a migraine.
"Hai! We're going home! Now can you keep quiet!" He scolded as he continued to fold clothes and pack them into his suitcase.
Meiling pouted. "Okay okay. I'll stop. But Ryu..."
"What?" He asked, clearly uninterested.
"We're going home today."
Ryu sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Meiling-san, make sure to take good care of my future daughter."
Both turned around to see Yelan standing in the doorway, smiling blissfully. She had been content ever since Meiling had described what a wonderful girl Sakura was and showing pictures of her and the rest of the gang.
"Hai Yelan-san."
Yelan smiled and lightly kissed them on their foreheads.
"Be safe and return to us soon."
Meiling nodded as Yelan left.
"WAII! Hurry up and finish packing! I want to say goodbye to all of Li's sisters!"
Ryu froze.
"They're going to start poking me again..."
Meiling smiled evilly.
"Hai! I bet you can't wait!"
* * * *
Syaoran paced back and forth.
He was going to be 17 in three days. That means he had to PROPOSE to his 'girl' so the Li clan would have a year to prepare for their wedding.
And he had no idea on who to choose.
"Why me?"
Syaoran muttered. Wei chuckled as he set a cup of ice tea down on the counter.
"Master Syaoran, what about your girlfriend?"
Syaoran stopped and thought a moment.
'Lily?'
* * * *
Song Min rushed down the street.
"Where is everyone?"
Xiomara and Jasmine panted behind her.
"Slow down. We can't just go up to him and say: Syaoran, you know that Sakura is the right one for you."
Song Min turned around and huffed. "Why not?"
Xiomara and Jasmine shook their heads.
"He won't listen!"
"We have to think of something better. To convince him."
Song Min nodded.
"Then back to the house girls!"
Xiomara and Jasmine sweat dropped.
* * * *
The three of them laughed happily. Sakura's appearance seemed to brighten.
They were talking about how Meiling is going to lecture them on how they haven't called. Eriol was cracking jokes on how Ryu would've been carrying everything Meiling bought.
"She'll kill Li the most."
Everyone froze after that. Eriol just made a grave mistake.
He mentioned Li Syaoran.
Sakura then remembered what had happened in the two weeks Meiling and Ryu were gone.
Lily and her friends.
Phillip.
Her depression.
It hit her hard and she felt like tearing again.
"Sakura-chan..."
Sakura looked away from Tomoyo. Tomoyo gave a side glare to Eriol and tried to hold her best friend's hand.
"What happened yesterday?"
Tomoyo bit her lip and Eriol looked down.
"Did he...?"
"Iie. Nothing happened. Eriol stopped him before anything happened."
"Can you leave me alone for a second?"
Tomoyo and Eriol nodded before they got up and left.
Once the door shut, Sakura wept.
She hated her life.
* * * *
Wei looked at Syaoran confused. He believed that Syaoran would've picked his girlfriend. Or else why would he have gone out with her?
Syaoran kept pondering. Even thought he felt it wasn't right, he still wondered.
"Should I propose to her?"
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I am SOOO sorry. Well umm... Happy Birthday to me, ne? Okay okay it was last month! Well a bit after it.
I know I took forever to update! But I have good reasons! Of course it was school... I mean they piled me with homework and projects and essays and research papers, and midterms... I could go on and on.
The other thing was writer's block. I hit it big time after Sakura's visit to the doctor. I didn't really know what to write.
I might change the ending later since it's spring break. I'll let you all decide. Oh and sorry if it seems a bit rushed. I didn't mean it to be but I didn't know what else to write.
I have to return to my research paper now but I promise that next time I'll update quicker. But guess what? I have a new fic coming on April... 26th! It's called Fantasy and I hope you all check it out.
Umm, what else? Oh I've been sick! And I got a puppy! (From my boyfriend for my birthday!) And it's a hard job to take care of her! Oh and Andrew has severe writer's block too. I'm not the only one! Bwahahaha!
Umm umm, I think I'm forgetting something. Well I don't know... I'll try to get the next chapter out really soon.
IMPORTANT: Leave your emails! Please! I'd like you all to know when the next chappie is out. (Well that is if you like it...)
NOW I remember! I have a new game: Kingdom Hearts. I've been playing it like crazy. I wanted it since December and I haven't gotten it since a few days ago... actually a week. But anyways...
I'm rambling again! Oh my promise!
Here is a sneak preview of the next chapter:
"I guess I didn't think I'd have a chance..."
"Baka! For your stupidity, you changed her forever!"
"Forever?"
"Hai Li-kun. We lost our genki innocent Sakura for good."
* *
Sorry for the long wait!
Fantasy is going to make up for it. I promise.
Uhh... when did I have time for it? During Math... I was trying to think about this fic too! I mean it! -runs from angry mob of reviewers-
Please Review! And I'll update in two weeks! (Well if I get over insert number here reviews!)
~* Final Fantasy Princess *~
Brenda ^-~
Sadly... there is about three or four more chapters before this ends. Which means it's all going to end! I don't want it to end! You'll find out what I've been plotting since the beginning! Well that's the whole purpose actually. This fic has to end no matter what I say.
But I want to thank you all right now. Here and now. Why? Because I received 318 reviews. I never thought that this fic would reach as much as that! What a surprise you all gave me!
And thanks to all you who reviewed last chapter:
Xiao Mei- Happy Belated Birthday!! I know I'm way off.
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And thanks to those who added me to their favorites! I appreciate it so much! You don't know how much!!
This is an extra gift for you for your patience! A hint for the next chapter will be available at the bottom. ^-^ Now who says I'm evil? Hmm?? Who?! Hee hee, just joking.
Oh! Silly me! Before I forget, this chapter is dedicated to: KawaiinessPnay. Otherwise known as Lily Fliss. I'm sorry that the 'villain's' name was Lily. I know you said it's okay but I still had to make it up to you. (Andrew felt bad that another author had his name as the villain.) I'm glad you'll continue to read my fic. I hope you enjoy this one especially.
And to: Xiao Mei! This is your belated birthday present!! YaY! I hope you had the best birthday!!
I'm rambling again... well anyways here it is! Presenting Chapter 10!
(Disclaimer: As said before, I do not own CCS... but I will... someday.)
* * * * *- Changing places
A/N- Author Notes
"." Speaking
'.' Thoughts
Friends Forever...Right?
Chapter 10
The Key to All the Answers
Tomoyo felt a shudder go down her spine as she ate peacefully with Nakuru and Eriol. She only felt those sorts of chills if something was wrong with...
"Gomen nasai Nakuru-san, but I have to go."
Eriol looked up alarmed by Tomoyo's sudden decision to leave. He knew very well that she wouldn't leave while the storm was still occurring.
"Demo Tomoyo-chan, the storm is awful. Why don't you wait till it settles down a bit, ne?" Nakuru suggested.
But Tomoyo shook her head violently, which surprised Eriol and Nakuru. Now something was really wrong. Eriol stood up and bowed his head.
"I shall walk her home obaa-san-"
"Don't call me that!! NAKURU-SAN! N-A-K-U-R-U!!"
Eriol winced a bit but that little scene didn't alter Tomoyo's anxiousness. She really needed to go to Li's house. Something was wrong and she had to get Sakura out of there.
"Er... Nakuru-san, I'll walk her home."
Nakuru smiled and nodded. "Hai hai. You do that and come back quick, okay?"
Eriol nodded and left out the door with Tomoyo. They put on their coats and shoes on quickly. Tomoyo grabbed her umbrella while Eriol borrowed Nakuru's. They ran out the door without another word.
* * * *
Still silence.
'Man if I could turn back the wheels in time, I would've said acquaintance.' Ryu thought irritably as the whole room continued to remain in silence.
-Flash Back-
"My name is Ryu Kim. I am the boyfriend of Meiling Raye."
-Flash Back Ended-
Real smooth. So smooth that it took everyone's breathe away. Yuna Raye stared at him with an expressionless look. Well, he guessed she knew they were going out, but that face made him insecure.
Yelan did the same. Fuutie, Femei, Fanren, and Shiefa gaped at him. Meiling had turned pale while the elders... err... what can he say about the elders?
"Continue."
Ryu blinked. The eldest elder had spoken.
Ha! He was spared!
"I am here because I chose to spend my vacation with the Raye family. But upon arriving, I noticed that there was some plot occurring and that very plot was denied from my knowledge. So I chose to spy on this meeting."
He had said it so simply and sophistically that what he had said before was forgotten. Well, at least for now.
"I see. You may seat yourself now as we question your 'girlfriend.'"
Ryu seated himself and gulped. So they had remembered that part. Well at least he wasn't slaughtered or banished from the premises.
"So what do you have to tell us, daughter of Yuna Raye, girlfriend of Ryu Kim?" The youngest elder asked snidely. The eldest elder gave him a glare and once again he piped down. Meiling began to regain color in her face.
"I have said already what my presence here is about..."
"Yes, we know that already. Go on child."
Meiling nodded.
"I believe my best friend will be the wife of your future leader, Xiao Lang Li."
* * * *
Syaoran placed Sakura on the couch slowly. He checked her pulse, since after all she kept fainting.
It was weak.
'Strange. I thought Sakura was athletic.' Syaoran thought as he brushed her hair from her face. He blushed a bit.
"Sakura-chan, are you suffering because... you like me?"
No answer. He hadn't really expected one from an unconscious girl anyway. Syaoran sighed as he looked fondly at Sakura.
'She's so pretty. Auburn hair, smooth skin, gorgeous emerald eyes... HEY! Where the hell am I going with these thoughts? I'm going out with Lily. She's pretty too. With clear blue eyes and long midnight blue hair. Sakura is beautiful. No! No! Lily is! Ugh!'
Syaoran stood up with his hands over his ears. He took one look at Sakura before leaving into the kitchen.
'Stop it.'
'Sakura...'
'No no! You are going to ask Lily to marry you!'
Syaoran stopped.
"WHAT?!"
(A/N: Horrible, yes I am horrible. Let me do the cha cha now. Hee hee.)
* * * *
Lily sprawled herself across the couch as Milla and Carleen took the other two. They were exhausted. Lily had another motive. She was tired from plotting.
But who wouldn't be? Climbing all those stairs and then walking back then without a decent rest.
"That baka will pay." Lily growled as she hit the pillow. Carleen and Milla nodded, not bring up their departure.
"Not only will I ruin his reputation, I will destroy hers! And if I have to, everyone that's close to him!"
Carleen and Milla stared at her.
"Don't you think you're pushing it too much?" Milla asked quietly. Lily glared at her and she silenced herself. Carleen patted her hand.
"I am not. Li will be destroyed. Kinomoto will be ruined. That IS perfection." Lily said happily.
"I guess we'll go pack then." Carleen said, getting up from the couch. Milla nodded and followed her.
"Now? But you guys don't leave till tomorrow!"
Carleen motioned for Milla to go ahead. "We leave at five am tomorrow morning, Lily."
Lily became stunned. That meant it was their last night together. She spent the afternoon chasing Syaoran. Now she had no time to spend with her friends.
"Then why don't we go out? For a change... instead of staying here. Let's take a cab."
Carleen smiled brightly and nodded. "I'll go tell Milla."
* * * *
The sound of someone pounding on his door made Syaoran leave his kitchen and to the hallway.
"Err... who is it?" Syaoran called as he reached his door. The insistent pounding stopped and he wondered if that person left.
"Let me in Li!" Tomoyo yelled.
Syaoran blinked and opened it up right away. Tomoyo dashed passed Syaoran, leaving him in her dust. Syaoran tilted his head as Eriol walked in.
"What was all that about?" Syaoran asked. Eriol sighed as he continued inside.
"Sakura. Sakura-chan! Wake up! Oh god... Eriol! Eriol come and help me!" Tomoyo said in worry.
Eriol gave a weird glance at Syaoran as he went to Tomoyo. Tomoyo was trying to haul Sakura on her own.
"She passed out again. I guess we have to take her to the doctor. This is too much." Eriol whispered as he placed one of Sakura's arms around his neck.
They prepared to leave before Syaoran stood in their way. He held a face of confusion and wonderment. But also his face contained the look of anger from the robbery of his cherry blossom.
"Why are you taking her?" He asked, a bit angrily.
"Gomen nasai Li-kun, but Sakura shouldn't stay here."
Syaoran's face held even more confusion now. "Shouldn't? And why the..."
Eriol glared at him. "Not in this state she can't."
Syaoran looked at Sakura's weak figure. "But I need to ask her something. Or do you want to answer it? Since you are removing her from this apartment."
Tomoyo and Eriol looked at Syaoran in confusion now.
"What question is it? As you can see, we can't stay long." Tomoyo stated in fretfulness.
"Does she have feelings for me?" Syaoran asked gruffly.
Tomoyo paled.
'Oh no...'
* * * *
"And who is this young girl that is your best friend?" One of the elders asked.
Ryu looked at Meiling confused. He didn't know that one of their friends would be the wife of Syaoran Li. But who was it? When they left, Syaoran was still single.
'Sakura is the only one that we tried to set him up with. Is she the one?'
Meiling looked seriously at the elders. The matter she was speaking about was gravely serious. No jokes should be told in this. And yet, Meiling knew it was the truth. She never saw the spark in Syaoran's eyes when he saw Sakura. She knew they would be together... forever.
"My best friend, Sakura Kinomoto, brought out the most wonderful personality of your soon to be leader, Syaoran Li. My Sakura, is the most greatest, nicest, understandable, compassionate young girl I've ever met. When we met, she was the one who introduced herself to me and offered to be my friend."
Meiling's eyes began to tear, and Ryu held her hand. It was the truth, all of it. And it would make her even happier if Sakura was the one for Syaoran.
"Anyway, back to the point. Syaoran's eyes sparkle when he's with her. Well that was before I left. I do not know if they're together now or not because I haven't held constant contact with my friends back home. But Sakura is generous, respectable, and honorable. I believe you couldn't ask for any Mistress better than her."
The Elders all stood up. It was time for them to discuss what Meiling had proposed so they retreated to another room.
And if Sakura was rejected...
Then Syaoran would be set into an arranged marriage.
* * * *
"I've got it."
Xiomara and Jasmine looked up at Song Min's pensive face.
"Got what?" Xiomara asked.
Song Min smiled broadly and stood up. She raced upstairs, leaving her two friends even more confused. They heard her trip, fall, get up, get something making somewhat amount of noise, trip again, and roll down the stairs.
Song Min was known to be somewhat clumsy.
Finally she made her way into the dining room and with a box. Her hair was now disheveled and there were certain bruises on her arms.
"I'll make Syaoran jealous!"
Xiomara and Jasmine fell off their chairs.
Song Min laughed as she opened the box to reveal a rather large phone book. The book was divided in three sections. The three sections were: Guys that desperately want to go out with me, Guys That I dumped, and Guys that are cute.
"Mmm... I think a cute guy is necessary but I need him to be somewhat desperate for me."
Xiomara and Jasmine shook their heads.
"Song Min you're going at this all wrong. I think we should let Syaoran drop. You have to find the one for you. Not play around with worthless ones." Xiomara said.
Song Min stopped from flipping through the pages of her phone book. She looked at Xiomara and sighed.
"But the thing is, I'm afraid I won't find him."
Jasmine smiled, happy that Song Min didn't blow up about what Xiomara said. Xiomara patted Song Min on the back and shook her head.
"You will. But the first thing we need to do is help Syaoran."
"Why?" Song Min asked as she placed the phone book into the box.
"Because we wrecked everything. This would put us in favor of Kami, wouldn't it? Plus Sakura deserves him then that bitch."
Jasmine and Song Min gasped. Xiomara was the only one in the group that hasn't ever muttered a curse. And for the first time she did, it was against Lily.
"Then let's do it."
All three smiled.
They were going to rectify what was desperately needed to be done.
For a long time.
* * * *
"Sakura changed so much, we don't even know anymore." Eriol said, ushering Tomoyo with Sakura out.
"What do you mean 'changed'?" Syaoran questioned, becoming irritable.
"No time for that. We must head off. Ja ne Li-kun." Eriol said.
The door shut, leaving Syaoran alone. In a frustrated cry, he hit the wall. He didn't understand the rush of feelings he was having. Syaoran opened his eyes and withdrew his fist from the inside of the wall.
"........."
Syaoran blinked.
"What is the matter with me?"
* * * *
Eriol managed to hail a cab. He grunted as he and Tomoyo entered the taxi with Sakura.
"Daidouji Mansion onegai."
"Hai." The old taxi driver replied.
Tomoyo let out a relieved sigh. The retrieval of Sakura hadn't been easy. Syaoran had put up more of a fight and FINALLY is piecing things together.
But it's too late.
The state of Sakura is in, happens to be severe. More severe than anyone imagined.
"We'll have to take her to the doctor tomorrow." She whispered.
Eriol nodded just as they arrived to Tomoyo's home.
"You don't think it's that bad right?" She asked, obviously worried.
"I'm sure it isn't bad." He said, reassuring Tomoyo.
The taxi pulled up to the front door. It was still pouring outside. Eriol paid the taxi and then aided Tomoyo and Sakura inside.
* * * *
"With music and words I've been playing... For you I have written a song... To be sure that you know what I'm saying... I'll translate as I go along..."
Lily began to sing.
"Fly me to the moon And let me play among the stars... Won't you let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars..."
All the men in the karaoke bar howled at Lily. Carleen and Milla applauded from their seats.
"In other words, hold my hand... In other words, Darling kiss me." Fill my heart with song... And let me sing forevermore..."
"Cuz you are all I long for all I worship and adore In other words please be true In other words I love you. Oh!"
Lily did slight movements as the chorus played.
"Oh woah In other words... please be true. Please be true I just want you to be true In other words.. yeah yah yeah I love you. Oh! Woah!"
She sang as the music died down. She took a bow and hopped off the stage.
"That was great!" Milla said.
"You were amazing." Carleen exclaimed.
The trio giggled and sat back at the table. All each wore flashy and revealing clothing.
"My favorite ladies. How are you all?"
They looked up to see Phillip, Ivan, and Simon.
"Konbawa." They all said.
Phillip seated himself next to Lily and then pulled her closer.
"Saw you singing. You looked great. Now why did you call me here?" He whispered.
Lily giggled so her friends wouldn't get suspicious. Sure thing, they fell for it. Simon and Ivan seated themselves next to them and conversed with them as they continued.
"Kinomoto is becoming a bother. I need you to take care of her and fast." She whispered.
"Sure. Sakura Kinomoto... will be tons of fun." He said.
"Good." Lily said, smiling.
* * * *
The elders seated themselves back at the table. Meiling and everyone else looked up. They were all so nervous.
"Meiling Raye, please stand." The middle elder said.
She complied, her hands shivering slightly.
"We have discussed and debated."
Meiling gulped.
"She is..."
Everyone's eyes were trained on the Elders. Everything went in slow motion. Meiling felt her heart beat ever so quickly. Her pulse quickened. Everything was silent.
"She is indeed perfect." The younger elder said.
"We accept your offer." The Eldest Elder said.
Everyone jumped in joy. Even though more than half didn't know exactly who Sakura was.
"We're going to have a little sister!"
"I bet she's so kawaii!"
"She's going to be so sweet!"
"Little brother will be so thrilled!" All the sisters said at once.
"Silence!" The Eldest Elder said.
Everyone took their seats once more, with their mouths closed.
"We have accepted Ying Fa Kinomoto. But we must meet her and she'll have to pass the tests we give her. Also she'll have to pass the lie detector test."
Meiling nodded, knowing fully well that Sakura would be able to pass.
"Hai. Two days I'll go back and prepare her."
The elders nodded.
"We'll give you four to five days after that. If that is all, this meeting is adjourned."
* * * *
"Night Sakura-chan." Tomoyo said as she left the guest room.
Eriol and one of her butlers brought Sakura up. But she hasn't woken up since then so Tomoyo decided to leave her alone. She went downstairs to see Eriol getting up from the couch.
"Still sleeping?" He asked.
She nodded as she met him at the bottom of the stairs. Worry was etched in her porcelain face.
"I'll have to call her house so they know she's staying here. Do you think she'll be okay?"
Eriol nodded and held her hands, placing a light kiss on the top of each of them.
"I'm sure she'll be okay. We'll drop her off to see her doctor tomorrow."
Tomoyo nodded.
"Yeah. Then Kwan will drive you home and Nakuru won't wonder where you went off to." Tomoyo said, slightly smiling.
"Hai. I'll see you tomorrow."
He placed a light kiss on her cheek and departed. Tomoyo then frowned again.
'Sakura-chan...'
* * * *
Meiling smiled happily as she and Ryu departed, completely forgetting about Ryu's mistake during the conference. Her mother had planned to buy some outfits before the stores closed so she had to go. She didn't mind though, since everything was going so well.
Ryu went to his room and locked the door. He remembered what Meiling had said earlier. "I want you to find out what really is going on in Tomoeda."
He hadn't forgotten because he was curious as well to know what Tomoyo was lying about. He had a suspicion it was the girl Sakura mentioned. That was the only time they were able to contact Sakura.
He furrowed his eyebrows as he tried to remember the name.
"Was it Billy? No no, that's a guy's name. Milly?" He frowned again for not recalling the fact that could solve everything.
Ryu picked up the phone and begun to dial. It was almost ten at night over there. While it was almost nine where he was.
"Moshi Moshi, Daidouji residence. Tomoyo speaking."
Ryu released a relieved sigh. He didn't want to wake her up if she was asleep.
"Konbawa Tomoyo-chan. It's me Ryu."
He heard a slight hesitation on her part when he put on the video phone.
"How is it in America?"
Ryu completely forgot that they hadn't mentioned to Tomoyo and the rest that they were now in China.
"Fine. How is it back home?"
"All is good too."
Ryu saw her eye twitch. It was a faint one but it was there. He would've missed it if he had blinked. He forgot how good of a liar Tomoyo was.
"No really. How is it home?"
Tomoyo mentally cursed in her head. She had to learn to surpass the twitching. She had forgotten that Ryu was one of the two that could tell when she's lying. Eriol was the other.
"All right. It's all right but everyone misses you two."
Ryu stared at her but there was no twitch.
'She's learning.' He cursed.
"Meiling and I miss you guys too."
Tomoyo smiled. She had to control herself from twitching again.
"How is Sakura-chan?"
Tomoyo pinched herself a bit as she responded. "She's fine." But no matter how much she pinched herself, she twitched.
"I have to know Tomoyo. You can't lie to me." Ryu said.
Tomoyo sighed.
"Promise you won't tell Meiling."
Ryu looked at her and bit his lip. He knew that Meiling was the one that wanted to know most of all. But Tomoyo had the look of desperation.
"All right..."
Tomoyo sighed.
"Well it began like this..."
An hour later...
"No..."
Tomoyo nodded numbly.
"Yes."
Ryu shook his head. This was all too much for him. After everything they went through. What on earth would happen? "No... Meiling won't be happy. And especially the Elders."
Tomoyo had a quizzical face.
"Who are the elders?"
Ryu gulped.
'Uh oh...'
* * * *
Syaoran grunted and laid down on his couch just as Wei entered the house.
"My my, Master Syaoran! What on earth happened to the wall?"
Syaoran blushed in embarrassment. "Gomen... I almost fell and my fist went through the wall."
Wei stood there for a moment and just shrugged. He wouldn't bother questioning him about that.
"Sorry I took so long Master Syaoran, demo it was hard to get cabs in this storm. It is still pouring outside."
Syaoran shook his head as he stood up. "No worries Wei. I'm off to bed."
"Might as well Master Syaoran. It's getting late and your birthday is coming up soon."
Syaoran grunted.
"Don't remind me."
* * * *
"Thanks for the great night guys! We'll miss you." Milla and Carleen said as she kissed Simon and Ivan.
Lily smiled, glad that her friends enjoyed their last night together. Phillip gripped her around her waist.
"Work fast, right? How's tomorrow afternoon sound?" He whispered into Lily's ear.
"Beyond perfect. Here's your kiss." She said as she kissed him lustfully.
Phillip moaned into the kiss as she pulled away. "You'll get more after the job is done."
"Say no more and just considerate it done." He said as he waved. Simon and Ivan followed him, a bit ticked that the girls they were kissing were leaving that very night.
"Ja ne minna!" They called before they went in.
"Arigato Lily. That was a great night out." Milla said gratefully.
Carleen nodded. "Now we have to pack before the flight. We'll wake you up in the morning."
"All right. Good night you two." Lily said.
"Night." The girls said before heading to their rooms to pack.
* * * *
"Li is heir to WHAT?!" Tomoyo exclaimed.
Ryu chuckled a bit. He knew the reaction would be pretty high if he told her the truth.
"Yeah he's the heir to the Li clan in China."
Tomoyo looked bewildered, shocked, and confused.
"The infamous Li clan? The LI clan! No way! I cannot believe it!"
Ryu nodded.
"Listen Tomoyo I have to go. I think Meiling is back and I don't want her to know what you told me or what I told you. I'll see you in two days."
Tomoyo gulped. "In two days? Meiling is going to be furious."
Ryu sighed. "Yup. See you."
"Bye Ryu."
Tomoyo sighed.
How will this ever work?
* * * *
The Next Day
"We'll write. Call us on how everything goes." Carleen said.
Lily wiped her tears and hugged them.
"Visit soon, okay?"
"We'll try our best."
Carleen and Milla released themselves from Lily's grasp. They walk towards the runway and waved.
Lily clasped her hands together as she saw her friends go into the plane. She was all alone now. If she had the nerve to go through with this, she had to do it fast.
Lily began to leave, her midnight blue hair swaying.
* * * *
"You'll walk home safely, right?"
"Hai Tomoyo-chan."
"If anything call me."
"Hai."
Sakura walked up to her doctor's office. She woke up at one o'clock and Tomoyo had insisted that she'd go to the doctor. She didn't know why but she already knew the doctor wouldn't say she was perfectly healthy.
'Syaoran... you... I hate you.' She thought as she entered the office.
"Ohayo. May I help you?" The receptionist asked as Sakura walked in.
"Walk in." Sakura murmured.
"Name?"
"Kinomoto Sakura."
"Folder number?"
"9164-190."
"Please have a seat. Doctor Park will be with you shortly."
"Arigato."
(A/N: I do not know what they ask but their names... my receptionist asks my social security numbers... I don't know about Japan. So don't attack me!)
Sakura seated herself and sighed. There were only two other children in the waiting room with their parents. She smiled a bit but they're seeing the other doctors, not hers. Joo-won Park, her doctor, only tends to patients around the age she is in.
"Sakura-san."
Sakura looked up and nodded. Her doctor always called her Sakura-san since she had argued with her to do so. She went inside to her office and seated herself.
"How are you today Sakura-san?"
"My friend, Tomoyo Daidouji, wants me to get a check up."
"So I suppose then you aren't all right. I'll run some tests."
"Hai."
* * * *
"You saw her go inside, right?"
Phillip nodded.
"I'll get her afterwards. You go and do what you have to do to Li."
Lily smirked and nodded. She kissed him deeply and then proceeded to leave.
"Ja ne then."
* * * *
"You have low blood pressure, low glucose levels, practically everything in your system is very unhealthy. What happened Sakura-san? You used to be so healthy and genki. Is everything all right at home?"
Sakura nodded and looked away. She didn't want her doctor to know.
"You lost a lot of weight. Please don't tell me you think you're fat?"
Sakura smiled a bit and shook her head.
"Iie." She replied.
Joo-won Park smiled. "That's good." Her face then frowned. "So why the drastic changes?"
Sakura sighed.
"Gomen nasai, demo I can't tell you. And..." She added. "It doesn't involve my family or school."
Joo-won rubbed her temples and sighed.
"Sakura-san, if you keep this going, you're capable of dying from a regular illness. Your white blood cells are weak so they won't be able to fight any virus."
"I don't mind." Sakura whispered.
Joo-won's head snapped up. "You don't mean that Sakura-san."
Sakura looked away. Joo-won had to hold back a gasp. She held Sakura by the shoulders, forcing her to look into her black round eyes.
"Do you want to live Sakura?"
".........Iie."
That answer nearly crushed Joo-won's heart. Sakura was her patient since she was born and never once did she see her frown. Today she was far worse. The genki smile and attitude now vanished. What on earth is going on?
Joo-won released her hold on Sakura and stood up in front of her.
"The reason why you are always fainting is your lack of sleep, malnutrition, and low levels of nutrients." Joo-won stated grimly. "And if you keep this up, I'm afraid you'll pass out into a coma and perhaps die."
Sakura nodded and stood up.
"Arigato Joo-won-san."
With that, Sakura left out the door. Joo-won sank into her seat. How someone so happy can transform into a depressed person so quickly... she couldn't understand.
Picking up the phone, she dialed a number.
"Tomoyo-san? Konnichiwa, this is Park-san, Sakura's doctor..."
* * * *
Sakura sighed as she walked down the block.
She knew it from the beginning that something was wrong with her. But she didn't really want to know what it was and what was going to happen to her.
"Hi there."
Sakura looked up and saw who she didn't want to see at all.
"Go away Phillip."
The young man chuckled as he drew away from the tree he was hiding behind. His hair blowing slightly in the wind.
"You know you don't mean that babe. This is a dangerous place to be walking by yourself. I shall accompany you."
Sakura sent a glare at him. "This? A dangerous place?" She said as she looked at the beautiful neighborhood with classy houses.
"Not this block of course, Silly Sakura. The next one." Phillip said smoothly.
Sakura looked up and frowned. It was true; the next block was filled with hoodlums, drug dealers, and etc. How such a fine neighborhood like this could be next to a neighborhood like that.
"That doesn't mean I'm walking with you." Sakura stated firmly.
Phillip wrapped his arm around Sakura's shoulder.
"Well that's too bad."
Sakura felt chills up her spine when he uttered those words. "Nani?"
* * * *
Syaoran sighed as he got up from the couch.
"Wei I thought you were going to take-"
He stopped when he saw it wasn't Wei.
"Lily? What are you doing here? What are you wearing??"
Lily giggled as she walked passed Syaoran and into his house. She was wearing a rather large brown trench coat that lightly touched the floor.
"You've been quite... tentative with me Syaoran. I think we're ready to touch the next level." She said as she slipped off the trench coat to reveal her black lingerie.
Syaoran gaped at her and managed to shut his mouth close.
'Good sign. He gaped.' Lily thought as she approached him slowly.
Syaoran then frowned at the girl in front of him.
"I don't think we're ready for this Lily." Syaoran stated as he backed away from her.
"But you've been too tentative. Just give me a good kiss and I'll put my trench coat back on." Lily said seductively.
'A kiss and he'll be mine.' She thought maliciously.
Syaoran shook his head and went passed her. He picked up her trench coat and threw it at her. "Lily get out. If you dare to try and do this again, it'll be over."
Lily huffed angrily and put her trench coat back on.
"You'll regret this Li." She shrieked as she ran down the stairs, not bothering to take the elevator.
Syaoran sighed as he closed the door.
'What the hell is the matter with girls these days...'
* * * *
"Don't do this!"
"You made it difficult for me before but LI can't save you anymore."
Sakura cried as Phillip hauled her into a dark alleyway. She struggled but who can she defeat in her condition.
"Get away from me! Help!"
Phillip snickered as he laid her down onto the hard pavement. He gripped her wrists tightly.
"No one here is going to help you. Everyone around here is under MY posse and they ain't gonna help some girl such as yourself."
"Please someone... Syaoran..."
Phillip laughed a cold laugh. It sent deep fear into Sakura's body.
'He's going to rape me.' She thought with tears in her eyes.
"After everything Li has done to you, with Lily and all... you still want him to save you. How pathetic." Phillip muttered before forcefully kissing her.
Sakura tried to break from his grasp but it was too hard for her. All she could do was cry as he held her wrists with one hand and his other hand began to trail down her body.
* * * *
Eriol whistled, trying to ignore his surroundings.
Until he heard a cry for help.
He was on his way to go pick up Sakura because Tomoyo had called him to let him know that Sakura was NOT doing so good.
And he had to go get her because the neighborhood wasn't good around there.
Sure wasn't.
Once he heard the cry, from a familiar voice, he raced down the block and into an alleyway.
"What the hell are you doing?" Eriol growled as he grabbed Phillip and threw him off of Sakura. Sakura's face was red from crying and her wrists were purple.
Phillip growled and ran off. Eriol raced to Sakura's side as she was on the pavement.
"Sakura-chan?"
"......"
"Don't worry. I'll get you home."
* * * *
A Day Later
A light breeze came into the room as a young girl woke up. By her side, was her best friend and on her other side, her close friend.
"What happened?"
Tomoyo smiled as Sakura awoken. She had managed to heal the bruises with her mother's creams and antidotes but nothing could erase the experience from Sakura's mind. Tomoyo was so glad that Sakura's clothes were never removed since Eriol intercepted them before anything drastic occurred.
"Nothing. You slept over. But guess what? Meiling and Ryu are coming back today!"
Sakura smiled broadly as she sat up in Tomoyo's guest bed.
"I completely forgot! I'm so happy! They're really coming back?"
Tomoyo smiled a bit and nodded. Eriol clasped Tomoyo's hand. It would be hard to keep this charade that Sakura was not almost raped.
If Eriol had been there any later, Phillip would've...
They shook their heads. They didn't want to recall that.
* * * *
"We're going home!"
Ryu covered his ears as Meiling proceeded to yell that all over the house. They were packing because their flight was in two hours. They'll be home in Japan around 6.
And Meiling couldn't stop shouting in happiness. Ryu was a bit content that they were going home.
But with Meiling shouting, he was getting a migraine.
"Hai! We're going home! Now can you keep quiet!" He scolded as he continued to fold clothes and pack them into his suitcase.
Meiling pouted. "Okay okay. I'll stop. But Ryu..."
"What?" He asked, clearly uninterested.
"We're going home today."
Ryu sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Meiling-san, make sure to take good care of my future daughter."
Both turned around to see Yelan standing in the doorway, smiling blissfully. She had been content ever since Meiling had described what a wonderful girl Sakura was and showing pictures of her and the rest of the gang.
"Hai Yelan-san."
Yelan smiled and lightly kissed them on their foreheads.
"Be safe and return to us soon."
Meiling nodded as Yelan left.
"WAII! Hurry up and finish packing! I want to say goodbye to all of Li's sisters!"
Ryu froze.
"They're going to start poking me again..."
Meiling smiled evilly.
"Hai! I bet you can't wait!"
* * * *
Syaoran paced back and forth.
He was going to be 17 in three days. That means he had to PROPOSE to his 'girl' so the Li clan would have a year to prepare for their wedding.
And he had no idea on who to choose.
"Why me?"
Syaoran muttered. Wei chuckled as he set a cup of ice tea down on the counter.
"Master Syaoran, what about your girlfriend?"
Syaoran stopped and thought a moment.
'Lily?'
* * * *
Song Min rushed down the street.
"Where is everyone?"
Xiomara and Jasmine panted behind her.
"Slow down. We can't just go up to him and say: Syaoran, you know that Sakura is the right one for you."
Song Min turned around and huffed. "Why not?"
Xiomara and Jasmine shook their heads.
"He won't listen!"
"We have to think of something better. To convince him."
Song Min nodded.
"Then back to the house girls!"
Xiomara and Jasmine sweat dropped.
* * * *
The three of them laughed happily. Sakura's appearance seemed to brighten.
They were talking about how Meiling is going to lecture them on how they haven't called. Eriol was cracking jokes on how Ryu would've been carrying everything Meiling bought.
"She'll kill Li the most."
Everyone froze after that. Eriol just made a grave mistake.
He mentioned Li Syaoran.
Sakura then remembered what had happened in the two weeks Meiling and Ryu were gone.
Lily and her friends.
Phillip.
Her depression.
It hit her hard and she felt like tearing again.
"Sakura-chan..."
Sakura looked away from Tomoyo. Tomoyo gave a side glare to Eriol and tried to hold her best friend's hand.
"What happened yesterday?"
Tomoyo bit her lip and Eriol looked down.
"Did he...?"
"Iie. Nothing happened. Eriol stopped him before anything happened."
"Can you leave me alone for a second?"
Tomoyo and Eriol nodded before they got up and left.
Once the door shut, Sakura wept.
She hated her life.
* * * *
Wei looked at Syaoran confused. He believed that Syaoran would've picked his girlfriend. Or else why would he have gone out with her?
Syaoran kept pondering. Even thought he felt it wasn't right, he still wondered.
"Should I propose to her?"
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I am SOOO sorry. Well umm... Happy Birthday to me, ne? Okay okay it was last month! Well a bit after it.
I know I took forever to update! But I have good reasons! Of course it was school... I mean they piled me with homework and projects and essays and research papers, and midterms... I could go on and on.
The other thing was writer's block. I hit it big time after Sakura's visit to the doctor. I didn't really know what to write.
I might change the ending later since it's spring break. I'll let you all decide. Oh and sorry if it seems a bit rushed. I didn't mean it to be but I didn't know what else to write.
I have to return to my research paper now but I promise that next time I'll update quicker. But guess what? I have a new fic coming on April... 26th! It's called Fantasy and I hope you all check it out.
Umm, what else? Oh I've been sick! And I got a puppy! (From my boyfriend for my birthday!) And it's a hard job to take care of her! Oh and Andrew has severe writer's block too. I'm not the only one! Bwahahaha!
Umm umm, I think I'm forgetting something. Well I don't know... I'll try to get the next chapter out really soon.
IMPORTANT: Leave your emails! Please! I'd like you all to know when the next chappie is out. (Well that is if you like it...)
NOW I remember! I have a new game: Kingdom Hearts. I've been playing it like crazy. I wanted it since December and I haven't gotten it since a few days ago... actually a week. But anyways...
I'm rambling again! Oh my promise!
Here is a sneak preview of the next chapter:
"I guess I didn't think I'd have a chance..."
"Baka! For your stupidity, you changed her forever!"
"Forever?"
"Hai Li-kun. We lost our genki innocent Sakura for good."
* *
Sorry for the long wait!
Fantasy is going to make up for it. I promise.
Uhh... when did I have time for it? During Math... I was trying to think about this fic too! I mean it! -runs from angry mob of reviewers-
Please Review! And I'll update in two weeks! (Well if I get over insert number here reviews!)
~* Final Fantasy Princess *~
Brenda ^-~